Monday, September 26, 2011

Scared of the Dark

Today I got up way early and wanted to RUN.  But, it was dark because it is dark until much later these days (I am a genius I know. It becomes fall and the days get shorter and it has been doing this for the 44 years I have been alive, yet it still surprises me). I was waiting until it got lighter to run and made some FB comment about this. A bazillion people jumped on me to say that they run in the dark, so what was I waiting for??

Run in the dark? My mom taught me to not do that that. College campus police didn't advocate for that one. I am the type who parks under a big streetlight at Target and runs to my car with my keys in my hand to poke someone’s eye out if necessary. The one time I ran in the dark at Hood to Coast I had a headlamp and was completely freaked. Boogeymen lurking in every bush.

The issue for most people when running at night or early morning was making sure they were wearing the right reflective clothing and did not trip over an uneven sidewalk or fall into a  pothole. Great. But, the whole time I’m thinking: I can take tripping and falling.  I can't take being jumped and raped or abducted or held up at gunpoint.

Don’t get me wrong, I live in a decent area and if I did run in the dark, I wouldn't sprint into a forest and run in the thickness of the trees. Yet, I was surprised that most peoples’ concerns were about being seen and not being attacked by animals. There was no mention of being attacked by humans.

Am I over reacting? Do you run alone in the dark? If so, what precautions do you take?

SUAR

104 comments:

  1. My mom was an early morning walker. She said that between 4:30-6:00 was the best time to go, because the drunks and nutjobs had already passed out and the rest of the world wasn't awake yet.

    Yes, I've gone out in the wee small hours, and I've been more concerned with being run over than with being attacked. Which is weird because I have other completely irrational issues about the bogeyman in other contexts.

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  2. My biggest fear about running in the dark is being hit by a car. I wear lots of reflective stuff, and I'm really cautious. The fact that coyotes are common in the one park I run in, with wolves not unheard of, and an adult male cougar (the kitty) was caught last week in another park I run in doesn't bother me.

    Women have special concerns about safety, and you're right to take extra precautions. But I suspect you could outrun any chester the molesters, and if they startled you, think of what they'd be slipping in along the way.

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  3. I pretty much always run in the dark. I am super lucky to live in a cheesy gated community... that is adjacent to a ghetto (for real). I run a 0.75 mile loop over and over and pass in front of my house every 7-ish minutes. If I scream, all of my nosy neighbors will come running. I still jump when a cat darts out from behind a car and when I see the skunk, though.

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  4. I love to run alone in the dark in the AM. My earliest start has been 4:30. I just make sure my husband knows my path and then I take off. I wear headphones to listen to my favorite music and always pay attention to my surroundings. I also tend to start my run where I do have some street lights to help guide my way until sun starts to rise. Can't let fear stop what I love to do. Have seen some great wildlife out and about to keep it interesting. Haven't seen any iffy humans out and about....just other runners or cyclists on an occasion.

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  5. I do run int he dark. I don't have that much of a choice. Mine is at night but I swear two nights ago (or was it last night?) that I had dream that some crazy man was stalking my night runs and followed me home. It was a terrible dream but I ran in the dark again tonight....ugh...can a girl take a hint?!

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  6. Yeah, like XLMIC, I try to loop close to my house when it's really dark...at least until the sun comes up a little. It's boring but I feel safer. I almost always see coyotes and other wildlife in the early pre-dawn and dawn hours, but I worry more about the possibility of weirdos lurking in the bushes.

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  7. I love running at night. I've taken self defense classes and always make sure someone knows where I'm going and when I'll be back. I wear reflectors on my arms and I never run with an iPod. I don't spend too much time thinking about all the hypotheticals. Now that I'm thinking about it, trail running's probably more dangerous. Especially in the dark.

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  8. I have the same crazy fears, but I agree with an earlier comment that in the early morning the mo's are in bed already. Even the sex offenders have to sleep sometimes. Caution is good but I would be freaked out by animals more than people. I tend to think the worst in the dark and luckily have a flexible enough schedule to get up a bit later and run in the day light. Just think, if you get super scared it's a totally legitimate excuse for pooping your pants!

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  9. There is a guy in my town who runs at 2am town...then goes to work at UPS. But he is also a guy who shit himself during the NY marathon.twice. I'm not sure if sanity is there.

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  10. I run in the dark all the time - usually I have a buddy with me and we run wherever we want - but when I'm alone I stay in my neighborhood and loop around...so boring, but safer.

    I also act like I'm safe by not listening to music when I run alone so that I can hear - but I hardly ever wear reflective gear so that people might actually see me...

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  11. I am not a fan of the dark. I'm completely uninterested in running in it, always. I live in the safest big city in the US (the FBI tells me so), but I don't care. Not doing it.

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  12. I live on a VERY small Army post in Germany. When I run in the dark, I run the 1.5 mile loop here on post or hill repeats right outside my house. The only people I see are the ones driving to the gym.I've only left post once to run in the dark and was nervous the whole time! As long as I stay on post I'm fine...it's well lit, sidewalks all the way around, and not too many people out and about at that time of day. Honestly, the most startling things I see are the crazy fast jackrabbits that come out in the dark, and the little hedgehog that crosses the sidewalk kind of slowly sometimes.

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  13. I have always run at night and my mom still yells at me for it. I just feel better and have the most energy around 8 or 9. I rarely worry about molesters or stalkers, but ALWAYS about animals. There have been bears in our backyard lately so I have been taking my bear spray. Nothing like a little excitement on my pitch black night run!

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  14. Wow! I'm pretty shocked too that the majority is more worried about getting hit by a car or chased by an animal. I never run alone in the dark, always with a running partner!!
    Last summer a girl walking on a trail near some college apartment buildings was raped and had her head bashed by a huge rock. She barely survived!! And get this....it happened during daylight!!! I think it was like 2 in the afternoon and in happy valley (Provo, UT).
    You just never know.

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  15. I do run in the dark. Makes me think that maybe I should be more concerned with this. I just always assume that I'm okay since I run on the lit streets with traffic and we live in a safe neighborhood.

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  16. All the bad guys are just going to sleep when we're up running! Don't worry about it!!

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  17. Actually, I DID post a Facebook comment that mentioned humans, I said if I were a female I'd likely carry pepper spray. I think the odds of anything like that happening are dwarfed by the possibility of being injured by an auto, though. Especially in the Peoples Republic of Boulder, not exactly a high-crime area. You are more likely by far to run into a bear than a bad guy. So, no worries :-)

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  18. I hate running in the dark. There are a lot of crazies out there and I'm definitely more scared of people than animals. I think it's important to be cautious and aware of your surroundings no matter what time you go running or how safe you feel.

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  19. I love running in the dark, and yes i live in cape town south Africa, but I have never been scared of been attacked. That said my wife never runs in the dark.

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  20. I love running in the dark. I like the quiet. I like the dark. I have a two mile loop in my neighborhood. I'll run the loop a few times or cut through streets to shorten the full loop run to get the distance I'm looking for. I run with my phone. I have never felt unsafe. There are dog walkers on nearly every block when I run. I've been known to do some late night runs, after 11 pm. Honestly, I've never felt unsafe. I LOVE night running!

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  21. In the winter I have no choice but to run in the dark, but like you I'm conscious of human dangers! I don't wear earphones, I make sure someone knows the route I'm going on, and I stick to main(ish) roads, I also never run without my phone which has gps tracking! I find if I run past someone, I tend to turn to make sure they have carried on walking! So the fear (too strong a word) remains, but I don't let it stop me.

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  22. I am as cautious as you. I wear bright clothing, a blinking light on my back, a blinking light on my hat, and I carry a powerful LED flashlight. It's the one run I won't wear my headphones. Also, the route runs past the local fire station, so that helps a little.
    Now that fall is arriving (and daylight later), I'll be sticking to the treadmill. Boring, but safer!

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  23. Running in the dark has never really worried me - apart from standing in a pothole or turning my ankle on a rock that I didn't see. I wear light clothing and sometimes I wear a little flashing red light. Most of my runs are in fairly well-lit and well-trafficked areas so I don't feel unsafe.

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  24. I often run at about 4am (which is dark for 11 months of the year or so). I won't deny that the month or so that it isn't dark is a nice treat, but I keep plugging even when I can't see. I do wear reflective clothing and I run with my dog. I keep on hoping that she'll scare away the animals that I'm afraid of tripping over. I'm not scared of people (we live in the woods and who else is out at that time of day...probably only creepy people who I SHOULD be scared of!!). I figure people do some pretty scary things sometimes, but most of the time they'll do them in the daytime too, no scarier at night, right?! At least that's what I'm telling myself! :)

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  25. I run n the dark every Wednesday or Thursday morning. Remember "Knees, then nose" if you need to defend yourself. Get him where it hurts! You are strong----We currently have a groper in the neighborhood, and one area over there is a flasher--just laugh if you see one of those!

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  26. I run in the dark but only on main streets that are well lit and only with my dog. Sure, he'd probably lick anyone that tried to rape me but he looks real imposing with his 72 pounds of muscle and woof-like appearance (he's a Siberian husky).

    To me, you do all kinds of bad @ss stuff, you don't need to do something that risks personal safety.

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  27. I ran in the dark the other morning around 5:30... I wore a reflective belt and carried my ID with me (I never did get around to ordering a RoadID bracelet). I wanted to get a small thing of pepper spray a while back, but they don't sell any on post here.. maybe it is banned in korea..? weird.

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  28. I am almost always running in the dark and alone. I like it that way, no one out to mess with you the streets are mostly vacant, and it is oh so peaceful. Of course I am not running in a rural area with hazards other than the occasional passing car, but those sometimes can offer a pretty good scare. I say just get out and do it.

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  29. I never run in the dark because no matter where I am I feel like I am trying to run away from someone.

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  30. I once made my husband come find the "zombie hand" I saw on my run. It was a tree branch shadow caused by streetlamps. I mostly ran in the dark last winter but I spent a lot of time keeping my HR up via fear. Still, creepy shadows are a good way to get in a quick sprint.

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  31. You should definitely respect your own comfort (or discomfort) on this. As for me, if I didn't run in the dark, 9 months of the year I just wouldn't be able to run. It's just me, my headlamp, and a few good old boys in their pick ups at Scary O'clock. I like to think they call me That Crazy Lady Who Runs in the Dark... and NOT That Crazy Lady Who Runs in the Dark That I'd Like to Plow Over. Plenty of critters in the bushes/woods along the way but except for being bonked by a bat last fall, I've never had a creature bother me.

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  32. I used to run in the dark for some training runs with my neighbor. He's a former Marine and a good friend so I knew I would be coming home one way or the other. No one gets left behind. I can honestly say, I live in a pretty small, pretty rural town and the biggest fears for me are: wildlife (those deer really make a big racket in the tall grass and willow bushes. I still haven't found a way to carry my bow with me while I run), stray and unleashed/kenneled dogs (they look scarier in the dark), and the workers who commute at 5 a.m. to work who think it's funny to shine their brights on me or veer towards me because I'm running (or maybe it's to catch a closer look of what being active looks like because it is quite rare in my town apparently). I wear my white Saucony visor with my visor clip light-helps me see some of the cracks and holes, a bright/reflective shirt, and try to run as close to the ditch as possible. Again, this means I may have a close encounter of the skunky kind but it beats getting hit by a car. My shoes are very bright and reflective as well. I'm thinking about purchasing a firefly by Road ID. Might confuse the rednecks in my town, though, and they might pull over/run me over because it looks like an ambulance/police car's lights are flashing. Trick or treat!

    Unfortunately, my neighbor has hit a funk and isn't up for early a.m. training. I can't say I am willing to go out alone at this early in the morning. I may consider driving to the school track and running laps there. No lights but at least there's port o potties and it's fenced it. Great place to make my last stand against the zombie apocalypse. I know I can outrun those suckers.

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  33. I only run at night if I'm not alone. I don't mind mornings so much -- something about knowing that the sun is on its way up -- but it freaks me the hell out to run alone after dark. (I will, however, walk the same routes I won't run after dark. Very confusing.)

    It doesn't help that there have been warnings here lately about female runners getting attacked while running alone along the river...so I think I'll stick to morning runs or running with a friend!

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  34. No way. When I was training for Marine Corps I ran a big loop near a local shopping center. A man drove by three times, eyeballing me. I was not mistaking that look. I am not that fast, big, or strong. It was next to a big field with NOBODY around. I'm NEVER doing that again and I don't give a rat's ass who thinks I'm paranoid. Nobody's community is the same. Trust your own instincts/common sense. It's different, in daylight people are around, you can see them, they can see you.Wearing headphones in the DARK? Insane.

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  35. I am glad you wrote this, because I feel the same way. I don't even like to run alone in the early morning (when it is light) because I feel like there are not a lot of people out and someone can take me or attack me and no one will be around to see or help. I am not scared of deer or curbs, I just am not a trusting person and would be paranoid the entire time I was running, so it is just not worth it.

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  36. This is my first time commenting after being a reader for over a year. (oops. :)

    With twelve wonderful colleagues, I just completed 200 miles of Ragnar Washington DC last weekend and my final leg of the race was at 3:30 am on a country road - no shoulder, no van support, nothing but myself, my headlamp, an eerie misty fog, and the boogeyman in the woods. It was easily one of the greatest AND most terrifying experiences of my life. Long story short -if I'm going to run in the morning, it better be a relay race or you can guarantee I'll be safe indoors, pounding away at my treadmill! 26 and still afraid of the dark.

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  37. Well after yesterdays issue. Safeway in the middle of the day, middle of the parking lot, a stranger approached, pretty aggressively. He was planning to "jump" me. I've been in that situation before, normal look man, clean, young, some would say even good looking, no threat at all, right? So light or dark, times are getting rough, if some one is going to do it, I don't think it matter what the hell time of the day it is. Be SAFE!!

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  38. Yup - I run in the dark. Since I don't do long runs during the weekdays - I stay pretty close to my neighborhood with my 4-5 miles. Although I realize that anything could happen . . . anywhere . . . I pay attention to my surroundings and don't run with headphones during the week. If I head out at 5:30 I might see 1 person . . . maybe.
    Now that it is cooler out, my dog Sophie stays with me for my full weekday run. (In the warmer months she only runs 2 miles). She is a golden retriever and would lick the attacker to death - but somehow running with a dog does make me feel a little safer.

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  39. Damn, this is one self-absorbed blog... I jest, if course.

    Most of my runs are in the darkness and there are times when I am in cities I don't know very well.

    First off is bright lights. I have multiple flashing lights that I wear so I can be seen from any approach angle. Second is being comfortable with the area. When home, most of my runs are in my neighborhood, which is a decent place to run any time of day (or night). When I am in a different city I will scout the area around my hotel and have also been known to check at a running store to find where the early morning runners do their workouts (strength in numbers). Finally, no music in the darkness. I know this is hard for some people but hearing becomes much more important when you can't see everything around you.

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  40. I don't run in the dark alone in my area I'm afraid of the animals at night.

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  41. I always run at 5am..but..I never run alone at that time...there is something awesome to me about running in the dark while most of the world is asleep ...just me and my running buddies...heavy breathing and freaking out the occasional dog walker!

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  42. I responded yesterday that I do run in the dark. What I failed to mention is the fact that I can't wear my heart rate monitor when I do. Why? Like you, I'm scared of the dark. As soon as I step outside my house my heart rate jumps and I must talk myself into putting one foot in front of the other. When I get to the stretch of road that's hilly and lined with lots of tress my pace picks up and my heart is in my throat. I see scenes from "The House on the Left" or whatever that movie was called. It freaks me out so bad that I almost have an anxiety attack (yes, really!). I make myself push through because I KNOW that no one is out there. I mean, who in their right (or not right) mind would get up and wait for me to come running by? Seriously?
    Now I'm worried that I will see Freddie waiting for me this weekend...

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  43. I always run in the morning! I usually get up at 3 and head to the park at 4. There's just something about that time of day. The quiet stillness and the fact it's just you and your run. I like NOT being seen. I can see a car coming toward me and I just cross over to the other side of the road and they never know I'm there. I like it that way! I've tried wearing all kinds of reflective gear and headlamps, but I prefer to be a sneaky runner.

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  44. NEVER...too much of a wuss I guess!

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  45. It's not my first choice, but I do run in the wee hours of morning when necessary. This summer was horrible in OK and the only time I could run in sub 90 temps was at 4:30 am. With safety in mind, I did not wear my headphones and I ran the 1 mile loop around my house over and over rather than running my normal longer route. I also wore a headlamp, took my dog with me and wore reflective clothing. And brought my phone in my Spibelt. It was actually kinda fun once I got over the fear of it and I do love running before work..it clears my head and wakes me up. :)

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  46. Here in Spain during the summer our only option is running early am; usually 6am starts in June- July.
    Later on in August, it starts getting light later, so my buddy and I both wear headlamps. So far with them, we'd just end up blinding each other when we'd look at each other to laugh after a particularly stupid joke. Looking at the person to laugh is a reflex reaction that's hard to get out of!

    A minor nuisance at night is misjudging pothole depth and straight-legging it at the bottom. I agree with everybody else though- it's not a frequently done thing, so high visibility is a must! Even if drivers see you, it takes them a long time to figure out what they're seeing, then they spend another 10 minutes looking at you (as they swerve towards you) trying to figure out exactly why anybody would voluntarily be up at that time of day!

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  47. Oh heck no I don't run in the dark!!! I have a few times with a buddy but it was more like we were running and ran out of daylight. I do not run alone in the dark though...reason #1-I have night blindness so I can't see a friggin thing!....reason #2-I ALWAYS think someone is going to abduct me! Stinks though because it means I'm stuck on the mill all week!

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  48. Never by myself. I've been a prosecutor for too many years and I know (personally) many of the boogie-men that live in my town. But I do run with with friends early on Saturdays. Just not alone.

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  49. Huge baby right here. I do not care to run in the dark. Sometimes I may catch a little time after the sun goes down on my way back in from a run, but I would never start it in the dark, my heart rate would be SO high I'd probably pass out somewhere along the way! And don't worry I believe the boogey man is hiding in the bushes too!

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  50. In my non TM days I ran in the dark often. Without any special gear--- freaks me out now to think about how unconcerned I was re my personal safety.

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  51. I am sitting at my computer, as I type this comment, waiting for the sky to lighten up just a bit more. I live, and drun, out in the country and don't want to be run over by some farm equipment. I also make sure to wear my Road ID. Can't wait for cooler fall weather so I can run in the late afternoon. Live in Central California and last Thursday it was 100 degree.... the day before the First Day of Fall. INSANE!

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  52. Nope. I will not run in the dark unless I am with a group. Cars, people, wild animals, scary monsters.... you just never know.

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  53. It takes some getting used to. The first time I ran outside i was like Joe Pesci in My Cousin Vinny, pointing a gun at every noise I heard. Then there was a time I heard a crapton of coyotes and ran home really really fast. Oh, and I'm pretty sure there's a chupacabra in Tennessee. But, yeah, I'm out there - sans music, with a headlamp and a vest. And mace.

    Running multiple Ragnars has gotten me over it for the most part.

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  54. Pre-injury I ran in the dark all fall and winter, and my biggest concern was being run over by the paper delivery guy (he reads the paper while he drives).

    I go by a dairy farm and the workers all smile and wave - not in a creeper kind of way.

    Otherwise I don't see many people or cars.

    I agree though that you have to do what *you* are comfortable with. My confidence that I'm going to make it home in one piece doesn't do you any good if a bad guy is chasing you or you're all stressed out with worry.

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  55. Nope. No running in the dark. I'm convinced someone will be waiting for me. I can't take it. The anxiety alone get my HR in the fat burning zone. ;)

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  56. I run in the dark until it gets to cold - then the treadmill. I carry pepper spray *in my hand at the ready*, a light clipped to my road ID, wear reflective clothing, don't listen to music so I can be aware, AND run on well light and well traveled streets. I'm am most afraid of animals or being hit by a car. 5am is pass out time for bad guys.

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  57. If I don't run in the dark, I don't get to run. It's my only time of day to do so if I want to run regularly.
    That said, I take some safety preautions. I have a road id. I always tell my husband my route. I don't run the same route-if someone IS watching me, I don't want to set up a schedule where it would be easier to get me. I should run with pepper spray, but I don't. I wear my Ragnar reflective vest with the blinking lights on the back, and a headlamp.
    Other than the paperboy freaking me out one day, and a few stray animals getting in my path, I've never had a problem.
    THe world smells different, sounds different, at 4:30am. The crazies and drunks have passed out, and the rest of the world is still sleeping. It's just me, the pavement, and the random newspaper boy.

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  58. I am jonesing for an outside run, but by the time I get the baby to sleep it's pitch black out. I'mnot so nervous as long as I'm running where there are street lights, but my husband is not for it at all. Maybe if he drove along side of me I could get it done.

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  59. HELL TO THE NO!!!! I do not like running in the dark. I am afraid of all the shit that lurks in the dark and could come get me.

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  60. I run in the dark occasionally...and yes, my biggest concern is visibility and not tripping over roots in the sidewalk. But the fear of being attacked does lurk in the back of my mind--it's been ingrained in us since we were kids! I do the same thing to my girls about being extra vigilant. However, it was my husband who reminded me that I run all these obscure, remote, windy roads miles from home during the day without fear of someone attacking me so why be afraid of running around our safe neighborhood at night. So when I run at night, I just stick with the 3 to 6 mile routes that are just around my neighborhood where I know lots of people and know all the side streets and cut-throughs and yards and parks like the back of my hand. Also, if you are nervous...carry a thing of mace in your hand. I know a lot of people who do that.

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  61. Oh my god, seriously, thanks for that horrific picture there. I'm sure it's from some well known horror movie, but I'm so much of a pansy I can't even watch the previews.

    I am way more afraid of being attacked by a psycho than an animal.

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  62. Yikes! I had to put my hand over your last creepy pic while I was reading the rest of your blog (scary)! I've ran in the dark but I'm hesitant to listen to my Ipod so I can hear EVERYTHING around me.

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  63. Put me squarely in the "wuss" category. I run at night *all the time* with a GROUP. I tried running at night alone exactly once. I was not thrilled.

    I occasionally used to walk (2 mi) home from work in the dark, but that was along fairly busy city streets and walking gives you more time to look around and notice any creepy people (and run into the nearest restaurant, if needed).

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  64. I don't run in the dark alone and would not suggest it. I live in Louisiana and have been attacked before. I do run with my run group early in the morning but never at night or in morning alone.

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  65. In the morning I don't mind it. I figure all the thugs have passed out by 5 am. But late at night, eh. That's when the thugs are waking up and thirsting for blood. I watch enough CSI, and SVU that if I were ever abducted I would make sure to leave tons of evidence.

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  66. I like running in the dark, but never alone. Working in law enforcement, I see all of the reports of tweekers/burglers lurking in the wee hours of the morning. I'm in the market now for a k-9 running partner.........and I never wear both ear buds or blast my ipod-I need to be aware of whats coming up behind me.

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  67. i dont run in the dark alone but then again, i couldnt watch that nickelodian show "are you afraid of the dark" either when i was a kid bc i was such a weenie.

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  68. I used to run in the early morning all the time. I think that the crazies and weirdos are all passed out that early in the am. I've been running in the early evenings but it will start to be dark then and I think that is the worst time to run alone so I may have to switch up my time or run inside, oh ugh....

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  69. In the begining of the year, I was too freaked out to run in the dark. This time around, I needed to for training, due to me work schedule. I was also freaked out about being scraed by a person, not an animal or being able to be seen be traffic. Those are things I can control. I ran anyways, and no one ever jumped out at me. I was ok and nothing ever happened. Now, I love running int he dark. I'm the only one out there and it's so quiet and peaceful.

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  70. I love running in the dark. I run with my German Shepherd so I feel pretty safe. But he can freak me out since he hears EVERYTHING.

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  71. Apparently, having kids turns you into a pansy.

    When I was in college, I'd go out super early, run past the frat houses, the coffee shops - all of which weren't in the best part of town. But it never bothered me, and to be honest I'm not so sure I ever thought about it.

    But now, living on a military instillation and in a super safe environment I jump at the tiniest sound and my heart races for a solid 5 minutes.

    Again, I blame the child. And maybe the husband. Either way, I have to hold someone responsible for my decreasing invincibility...

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  72. My best runs tend to be in the dark, but I won't run around town in the dark alone. Give me a wide open road a la Hood to Coast or Cascade Lakes Relay and I'm good to go. I always wear my Amphipod Xinglet with an LED flasher on front and back, my Brooks Nightlife hat, and if it's colder my awesome NIKE Run don't-hit-me-yellow/green reflective sweater. I also clip a headlamp to my hat.

    The only time I ever thought about being attacked by an animal was my night run on H2C. I heard a loud crash behind me and thought I dropped something. I didn't and there was no one around. You better believe I picked up the pace.

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  73. I am a paranoid weirdo. I do not run in the dark, and probably never will. I get freaked out in the dark in my own house, let alone outside! I think the only way I would run in the dark is if I drove to our town's center and stayed on the main streets...

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  74. I run early in the morning. I wear reflective gear and a light if I'm going to be somewhere with few street lights. I always tell my husband what route I am running and when I will be back. I also vary the route,and distance every time I run so know one can predict (hopefully) where I will be and when. I have a hand held runners mace I carry as well. People can be abducted and and hurt the daylight light hours so I try to not let fear determine what I do. I try to be the safest I can be while still doing what I love.
    Oh, and I took a self defense class. I plan to take it again soon as a refresher.

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  75. I used to be fine with running in the dark...back in our old familiar town. I'm not used to the big city of Denver yet and I haven't ventured out in the dark alone. I'm too scared of the weirdies. Usually I bribe/whimper/beg The Husband to come along on his bike.

    When I was back in WI and running in the dark I would always run in the morning rather than at night because I figured the people waking up to go to work would be more likely to find my mangled body if anything were to happen... And my fear was definitely people, not animals! Although I'm slightly more concerned about critters here in CO!

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  76. No, you aren't overreacting. It scares me to run in the dark. I'm not in the best of areas and women do get raped, mugged, murdered, and kidnapped. So, I constantly have my head on a swivel, with my ipod turned down (and only in 1 ear), and my mace ready to go. I hear a noise and I'm looking here, there, everywhere ready to attack if getting attacked.
    I saw this song yesterday and I've added it to my playlist to kind of ease the dark running fear.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmSpn3EnsE0

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  77. No running in the dark alone for me. Yikes!

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  78. I have run in the dark but in the early a.m. (5-6:30). I have irrational fears of the undead and run fast past places where people have hit trees (I live in rural area)-crazy huh? I do run with reflective gear, lights (head,tail,belt) and carry pepper spray. My biggest encounters to date is: spooking possums, almost stepping on road kill, have deer run right in front of me, wild turkeys and some asshats in pick up trucks aiming for me. I still haven't run in the dark this fall yet - run on tm but will do it tomorrow!

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  79. I ran in the dark a couple times last week. It was fun yet scary. I didnt have a light (since I am dumb). I was worried about bats dive bombing me, skunks. I kept hearing noises- the wind in the drying corn feilds I guess. I was also worried about getting shot at since I have some crazy farmer neighbors. If you want an added scary factor- go running in the rain in the dark. I was worried I would step and trip on a frog (saw a lot), or slide on wet horse manure (I like in the country with the Amish and horses and buggys.) It was exhilirating- yet stupid- lol. One benifit- I think I ran faster-- was trying to outrun the bats, hunters, and overall creepiness of it all.

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  80. Running in the dark freaks me out! I have been chased by someone before so now I am totally paranoid to hit the streets before daylight. I have no resorted to doing a lot of runs on the treadmill which I despise, BUT its better than being chased by some creeper....

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  81. One time on an early morning run (very dark - in country, no street lights) I thought someone was stalking me in their car. They were behind me for a long time until I discovered it was, THE NEWSPAPER GUY!

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  82. I do run in the dark, but I usually try to do it with company. I get a little nervous of those things sometimes - potholes, animals, humans. All of it. but generally it won't stop me from heading out anyway, and I just make sure hubs knows where I'm going.

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  83. I also heard about the girl who was raped in happy valley too (I live near Provo) and it freaks me out! Especially since it was broad daylight! I never run along the actual river trail here anymore because of it. I start up from it because tons of people are always there.

    I am also to scared to run at night too! I tried to last Saturday because I missed my run earlier and I was freaking out! Every time a car would slow down to turn, I would totally jump and back away. I turned around after like a quarter mile and came back home. It's usually really safe where I live, but I don't want to take chances...

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  84. I live in a safe area but I absolutely will not train outside in the dark. Sometimes I'll start right as the sun is coming up but I'm usually with someone else. I'd never do that on my own.

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  85. I always go in the early morning, 4:30am is very normal for me but I figure all the weirdo's are sleeping off their drunken haze at that point. I would be more worried about running in the dark in the evening.
    I wear reflective clothing and have my road ID on. I do go with a buddy often or on roads where there are lots of street lights so if someone is kidnapping me, someone else will be able to see it!
    The only thing that scares me is skunks! I can't see them and getting sprayed in the early morning would certainly ruin my run!!!

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  86. 4 out of my 5 weekly runs are in the dark. LOVE to run in the early, early mornings (most of the time) for many reasons, the main one being that I get it done before work, and I don't have to worry about it the rest of the day. Yes, you have to pay attention...yes, you have to be alert...and I never run without my "jogger fogger" (pepper spray with a stretch band you can wrap around your hand).

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  87. I think just like you do. NEVER done a run in the dark. thought about it but even when i run in the evening w/ the sun going down, i am spooked when i run thru the wooded areas in my neighborhood. i run w/ a water bottle in one hand and a thing of mace in the other, but the mace is about 8 yrs old so it is prob'ly just as effective as the water at this point. need to get some new. i'm scared of ppl the most and pitbulls or other rabid animals 2nd. lots of pits in FL for some reason. that sounds funny, but you know what i mean.

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  88. I love running in the dark. To tell you the truth, I don't even think about things that are lurking out there. I probably should.....

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  89. I am almost always running in the dark.

    No precautions, no headlamps, no reflective gear.

    If the perp (I watch NCIS, L&O, CSI) can't see me then how will he attack me?

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  90. I rarely run in the dark on my own (at my husband's request). We don't live in a terrible area, but there are enough creepy-at-night wooded areas and previous "issues" to be worried. Of course it's a total double standard, though, as he does the majority of his runs after it's dark. Thankfully he just bought a North Face running jacket that has more reflective on it than anything he's worn before.

    I'll run in the dark with Colin and Spud or my running clinic, but there's safety in numbers. On those nights I'm decked out in lots of reflective, white blinkers on my shoes and a red blinker on the back of my hat. I always figure that if I'm lit up like a Christmas tree then, if I get hit by a car, the driver has no excuses. Spud's buggy gets lights too along with the reflective tape.

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  91. I haven't had to run in the dark in a long time. However, I have my road id, reflective vest, headlamp, and blinky red light. I run through a rather safe neighborhood where I know many people living there. I did have a close call with a car, which I kicked, and then got chased by said car, so that was the scariest thing that happened. I ran to the front door of the closest house, and it seemed to fix the problem. I have a fog horn that I won as a door prize to carry in such situations, but haven't ever brought it with me.

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  92. I'm with you (dark = fear of psychos). If you have a minute, check out a recent experience I blogged about. And that was during the bright of daylight...

    http://gettingitdoneontherun.blogspot.com/2011/09/no-scott-i-dont-need-taser.html

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  93. I DONT run in the dark. Im more worried about being abducted than being seen... And now that picture is going to scar me for life. Im sure it will pop into my head the moment I do decide to run in the dark.

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  94. I never thought I would, but I actually do run in the dark alone, but if I don't run in the morning when it's dark then I don't get my run in...so pick and choose lol But luckily there are people and cars and kids at bus stops so I am not really alone.

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  95. I'm too much of a klutz-o for that.

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  96. I used to run in the dark, after a stranger danger scare, I am like you and do not run in the dark. You are not overreacting. My scare was a block and half from home and I live in a nice neighborhood too.

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  97. I live in a rural area with no streetlights, so yeah, I'm more worried about animals (coyote and deer) running across the road and hitting me than I am about cars. I turn out my headlamp unless a car comes along. It's nice but spooky, too.

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  98. Lol, I thought I was the only one who had this fear. I'm actually a guy, but I remember watching the documentary on Jeffery Dahmer and how he struck a male jogger with a baseball bat. So it's not only women that have to be worried. The one time I've ran in the dark, I forgot my pepper spray, had a headlamp, and I can tell ya, the little light was all over the place looking behind every tree and bush. Your fears are justified and so are mine. People are nuts. It's best to run during daylight and somewhere safe where you either have emergency buttons (most University trails have these), or there are plenty of people on the trails.

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